Beastie Boys’ Ad Rock to DJ fundraiser for Russian punks Pussy Riot

It's the rapper's first public performance since the death of bandmate Adam 'MCA' Yauch

Beastie Boys member Ad Rock is set to perform in public for the first time since the death of bandmate MCA.

Ad Rock – aka Adam Horovitz – will DJ tonight (June 12) at Death by Audio in Brooklyn, New York at a fundraising event for the Russian punk band Pussy Riot, reports Rolling Stone.

In March, members of the band Pussy Riot were arrested for staging a protest against Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Three members of the band, Maria Alekhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ekaterina Samucevich, were then charged with hooliganism. The musicians have been remanded in jail and are facing up to seven years imprisonment.

Members of the band staged an impromptu performance at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow on February 21, when they sang a song called ‘Holy Shit’ as a protest against the Orthodox Christian’s church alleged support for Putin.

Tonight’s show in Brooklyn will raise funds for the three women’s legal defence. Heliotropes, Shady Hawkins and TinVulva will also appear at the night, which is being hosted by feminist art group Permanent Wave.